Ferit Odman is an on demand and busy jazz drummer based in Istanbul. He started his music studies in Sweden as an AFS exchange student (1999), got a full scholarship to get his B.A. in Music at Istanbul Bilgi University (2001), attended the School For Improvisation workshops in NYC (2004), and has been granted a Fulbright Scholarship to further build on his studies at William Paterson University (2006).

He spent / played two years in NYC and holds a M.M. (Master of Music) degree in Jazz Performance. He became heavily entrenched in the Turkish jazz scene at a young age and recently performs with many jazz musicians, while leading his own quintet and touring around Europe.

Reviewed by Ken Micallef;
Downbeat Magazine - May 2012
Autumn In New York
(4 STARS)

Istanbul native Ferit Odman possesses a pure, sparse, sweet drumming style that is subtle in intent and thoroughly musical. Surrounding oneself with New York City ringers for a second recording might seem like a quick way to get attention, but Odman does much more than that. His arrangements, production, drumming and leadership bring the best out of these musicians, even when playing what is
basically classic hard-bop styled material.

Odman's light touch and sizzling energy allow the soloist to project individuality in each song, the drummer acting as kind of a magic genie applying the proper shading and textures for each moment. That they sound like a well-oiled road band only adds to overall beauty and urgency of Autumn in New York.

Vincent Herring has never sounded better than on a lush reading of 'My Ideal.' Anthony Wonsey is equally compelling here, gracefully soloing as Odman gently stirs the soup. James Williams contributes three tracks, 'Alter Ego' and the brightly burnished 'Changing Of The Guard' which features tightly knit ensembles and scalding Latin sections and an exciting solo from Terell Stafford.

There's an immeasurable gulf between the stage and the studio that many musicians simply can't navigate. Turkish drummer Ferit Odman bridges that divide effortlessly on Nommo (Equinox 104-3; 48:55 * * * ½ ), a studio recording that channels enough live-band energy that the absence of post-solo applause comes almost as a shock. It doesn't hurt that Odman has assembled a cast of dependable veterans for the occasion; a debut record could do worse than to feature trumpeter Brian Lynch, altoist Vincent Herring and bassist Peter Washington (the line up is completed by Odman's countryman Burak Bedikyan on piano).

The leader keeps things surprising on this set of lesser-known hardbop tunes by the likes of Sonny Stitt, Jymie Merritt and Tadd Dameron. Witness the chattering, birdsong cymbals gilding the opening moments of LarryWillis' ''To Wisdom the Prize," or the steel-driving tandem he forms with Washington.
Ordering info: equinox-music.com